San Jose Sharks post-mortem

Patrick Marleau was held pointless and had a minus-1 rating in San Jose's opening-round loss to St. Louis. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI via Getty Images)

Lyle Richardson
2012-04-26 12:42:00

Entering this season, the San Jose Sharks were coming off a four-year run as one of the dominant teams in the NHL, with four consecutive Pacific Division titles, a Presidents’ Trophy in 2008-09 and consecutive conference final appearances in 2010 and 2011.

But after struggling through 2011-12, finishing seventh in the Western Conference with 96 points, the Sharks were bounced in the first round in five games by the St. Louis Blues, leading many observers to opine significant change will be in the offing.

It's been rumored coach Todd McLellan and his staff will be replaced. GM Doug Wilson declined to comment on that possibility, as he's yet to meet with team ownership to discuss their off-season plans, but expressed support for McLellan and shouldered the blame for the season's frustrating outcome.

Couture and Pavelski, the youngest of the Sharks core, were hampered by injuries in the Blues series and are valuable pieces of the team's future. Most observers believe Thornton won't be part of a roster shakeup, but there's been calls for Wilson to part ways with former captain Marleau, who's been a Shark since his NHL debut almost 15 years ago.

Though Marleau was the Sharks’ second-highest goal-scorer (30) and third in points (64), he was held scoreless in the first round, once again raising concerns over his consistency in the crunch.

The Sharks were among the teams that expressed interest in Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Rick Nash at the trade deadline and there's talk Wilson will revisit that interest.

It was rumored Nash wasn't interested in being dealt to a Western Conference team, but if he were, the asking price would likely be either Couture or Pavelski, whom Wilson would be loath to part with, even for a star like Nash.

Don't expect changes between the pipes for the Sharks. Starting goalie Antti Niemi's numbers (34-22-9, 2.42 GAA, .915 SP, six shutouts) were almost identical to last season's and while he wasn't spectacular, Niemi provided steady goaltending.

Thomas Greiss (9-7-1, 2.30 GAA, .915 SP) was a reliable backup and is signed for another season at an affordable $587,500.

Wilson will look toward improvement in the faceoff circle, as well as the penalty-kill, where the Sharks were 29th overall this season.

Of his UFAs, only Winnik played well enough to merit keeping around. Braun, Desjardins and Wingels will get new contracts, but Galiardi wasn't a positive factor in the playoffs and could be moved.

Rumor Roundup appears Monday-Friday only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Eishockey News and Kukla's Korner.